Pete Ganbarg
A&R Executive - Music Publisher - Podcast Host - Educator
New York,NY
Summary
Renowned in the music industry, I've led Atlantic Records to #1 market share for five years, conceived the Grammy-winning album 'Supernatural' at Arista, and founded Pure Tone Music, showcasing deep industry knowledge and creative leadership. Adept at public speaking and education, career highlights include winning two Grammy Awards for music production, receiving a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Wesleyan University, being honored as "International Music Person of the Year" by industry trade organization Musexpo and serving on the Board of Directors for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Part Time Assistant Professor
Berklee College Of Music
09.2024 - Current
- Created original course and syllabus, teaching the history of A&R: past, present, and future.
- Teaching a weekly 50-minute class to 14 Berklee seniors.
- Contributed to biweekly departmental meetings with full music business faculty.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of subject matter by researching and reading multiple volumes of contemporary music history.
Podcast Host
Rock & Roll High School
05.2021 - Current
- Established, researched, booked, and produced an original music interview podcast as part of Warner Music's educational initiative.
- Released over 45 original episodes starring guests ranging from Clive Davis to Graham Nash, Nile Rodgers, The Temptations, Gamble & Huff, Todd Rundgren, Bryan Adams, Kenny Loggins, Kool & The Gang, and more.
- Episodes available now on all streaming platforms.
- Major press coverage on MSNBC, Variety, and Billboard Magazines.
Music Publisher
Songs With A Pure Tone/Margetts Road Music
10.2007 - Current
- Established music publishing companies, in tandem with joint venture partners Sony Music and Warner Chappell.
- Signed writers responsible for 10 Billboard Top 40 Hot 100 hits, including 8 Top 10s.
- Published multiple BMI and ASCAP award-winning copyrights.
- Publisher of 2024's Grammy Award-winning Record Of The Year, 'Flowers' by Miley Cyrus.
- Songs published include hits by Charli XCX, Selena Gomez, Pharrell, Williams, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.
President of A&R/Head of A&R
Atlantic Records
10.2008 - 05.2024
- Built and led a team of 25+ A&R executives, helping the label achieve #1 overall market share for 5 straight years.
- Signed and developed superstar artists, as well as cultural breakthrough projects, ranging from Twenty One Pilots to the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of 'Hamilton' and 'Dear Evan Hansen,' as well as the soundtrack to the film 'The Greatest Showman'.
- Served as part of the senior management team at label, helping to establish the overall taste and tone of the company.
- Led Warner Music's in-house educational initiatives, teaching the Atlantic and Warner Music staff about the history of contemporary music.
President
Pure Tone Music
10.2003 - 10.2008
- Established and ran one of the music industry's leading A&R consulting businesses.
- Oversaw the recording of over 40 different album projects in a 5-year span for label clients ranging from RCA, Warner Brothers, Sony, and Columbia.
- Worked directly for RCA Records chairman Clive Davis as his sole A&R consultant.
- Established independent music publishing wing, signing songwriters responsible for multiple charting hit singles including the Top 10 Billboard smash "Honey, I'm Good."
Senior Director, A&R
Arista Records
10.1997 - 02.2001
- Hired by and worked directly for Arista Records President, Clive Davis
- Conceived, A&R'd, and oversaw the Grammy-winning Album Of The Year, Santana's 'Supernatural'. The album has now sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
- Architected the hit song 'Smooth' by matching songwriter Itaal Shur's original track with Rob Thomas' new lyrics, creating the Grammy-winning Song and Record of the year in 2000.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English/Educational Studies
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT 05.2001 -
Skills
Deep knowledge of music industry and contemporary music history
Creative thinker and educator
Self-starter and successful independent business owner
Experience and comfort leading large departments
Experience and comfort public speaking
Accomplishments
Grammy Award Winner
2017 Producer, Best Musical Theater Album, "Dear Evan Hansen"
2020 Producer, Best Musical Theater Album, "Jagged Little Pill"
Grammy Award Nominee
2024 Producer, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, "Daisy Jones & The Six"
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Wesleyan University, 2023
International Music Person Of The Year, Musexpo, 2023
Board Member, Songwriters Hall Of Fame, 2020 - Current
Board Member, New York Chapter, NARAS, 2009-2011
Elizabeth Ormsby Book Award, Wesleyan University, 1988
Timeline
Part Time Assistant Professor
Berklee College Of Music
09.2024 - Current
Podcast Host
Rock & Roll High School
05.2021 - Current
President of A&R/Head of A&R
Atlantic Records
10.2008 - 05.2024
Music Publisher
Songs With A Pure Tone/Margetts Road Music
10.2007 - Current
President
Pure Tone Music
10.2003 - 10.2008
Bachelor of Arts - English/Educational Studies
Wesleyan University
05.2001 -
Senior Director, A&R
Arista Records
10.1997 - 02.2001
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